The Rochester Castle, 143-145 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 0NY in Stoke Newington, is to remain open after Wetherspoon’s has withdrawn its sale.

The Rochester Castle

Colin Coyne, North London CAMRA Branch Chairman, said, “This is great news. The Rochester Castle is a much loved community pub in an area that is not well known for cask beer pubs. Although it looks as if the other Wetherspoon’s pubs listed for sale earlier this year still remain on the market, this change of mind by Wetherspoon’s is really welcome”.

Colin added, “So much was the opposition to the proposal to sell, a local petition against its closure had 1,359 signatures. The branch is very much looking forward to sharing a celebratory pint or two with the locals!”

The Rochester Castle is full of history. There has been a pub on the site since 1702, being rebuilt in1893 and is Grade II listed. It is also the oldest remaining Wetherspoon’s pub opening back in 1982. Before then it was a music pub hosting people such as Ian Drury and the Blockheads and Gary Numan. The pub is exuberantly decorated dating from the height of the 'Gin Palace' phase of pub building. Its features include glazed tiling with arabesque-enriched pilasters and mirrors: figurative panels depicting the Seasons and to the rear, a top-lit extension.

For further information, contact Colin Coyne - CAMRA North London Branch Chairman: ku.gro.armac.nodnolhtron@namriahc, or the Rochester Castle 020 7249 6016.

Extra facts

• CAMRA is the Campaign for Real Ale and is a volunteer membership organisation with over 200 volunteer branches across the UK and over 150,000 members.
• CAMRA nationally was formed in 1971. It exists to promote good beer, protect pubs and defend consumer rights.
• The North London branch of CAMRA covers most of the North London postcodes plus WC1 and parts of WC2 and has almost 700 pubs in it.